News

Student hostel plan worry for residents

First published
in News
by Matt Oliver, Reporter covering North Oxford, Jericho and Summertown. Call me on 01865 425498

A BID to turn a health centre into student accommodation has sparked fears that Oxford colleges are taking over the suburbs of north Oxford.

University College has applied to change the use of the North Oxford Medical Centre, which shut last November, from a surgery to a nine-bedroom student accommodation block.

It owns several properties within the block of houses bordered by Staverton Road, Banbury Road, Rawlinson Road and Woodstock Road.

And residents are concerned that the college’s latest move is a sign of a larger plan that could see the character of North Oxford drastically change.

St Margaret’s ward city councillor Elizabeth Wade said the change of use application was originally to be delegated to council officers, but has now been called in by councillors at the west area planning committee.

She said: “By itself this application is fairly minimal, but what I am worried about is the salami-slicing going on in the blocks.

“The college has bought up various bits of land in the area and although there is no reason they should not be allowed to do that, residents should be informed about what is going on. This practice is hollowing out whole blocks.”

Permission was already granted by the city council previously to change the former medical centre’s use to a single home, but that had not been carried out, the college said in its letter to officials.

The college said two of the student bedrooms would include wheelchair access and would have common rooms and a kitchen. A porter’s lodge would also be created on the ground floor.

The three-storey building is located within the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area.

Government planning inspectors have refused applications which they ruled would damage the character of the area, including one that would have seen two lime trees outside Lady Margaret Hall chopped down.

In its application the college said the property was suitable for student accomodation.

It wrote: “The site is within a convenient location for access to the college as well as local shops and services. Furthermore, the proposed use would have limited impact on nearby properties.”

The application has so far received six comments from residents living in Woodstock and Staverton Road.

They claimed the extra student accomodation would create more noise and disruption in the area.

University College spokesman Mark Chambers said the college was in discussions with residents about their concerns.

He added: “The college wants to be a good neighbour and will consider the points they have raised.

“That has always been our policy and remains the case.”

Top News

Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.

Comments (6)

Surely North Oxford is an ideal location for student accommodation? More and more student rooms are being built in every other part of Oxford and I would have thought you would welcome them just as you have said we should accept them also.

Surely North Oxford is an ideal location for student accommodation? More and more student rooms are being built in every other part of Oxford and I would have thought you would welcome them just as you have said we should accept them also.mytaxes

It takes more property or development of homes out of the equation though? why are University colleges allowed to do this- why not build more student blocks within their hallowed enclaves that are surely vast enough?

It takes more property or development of homes out of the equation though? why are University colleges allowed to do this- why not build more student blocks within their hallowed enclaves that are surely vast enough?oafie